Welcome to my world! Moving here to Missouri three years ago I couldnt' belive all the rocks. I was warned but really thought that it really couldn't be all that bad....well it is! Clay, rocks and roots. My advise is to just start in small area and over time keep working your way out. If it's an area you would like to make gardens out of maybe bring in some bags of dirt or check your area to see what a truck load of topsoil would cost. Good Luck.

Pam

I would try to keep it as natural as possible. First I would get rid of poison vines and briars and any noxious weeds and then use Missouri natives and let Mother Nature take over.

Here is a good website that should give you some ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Grow Native

Are you able to mow it or is it too rough? How large is the area?

As you plant your ground cover or other plants, you will have to keep the areas weeded until it fills in thickly, so you need to be able to get too it. If you try to do a very large area all at once, it would be hard to keep the weeds out.

You could try to keep wide paths mowed into it and plant some natives or ground cover along each side of those paths. Otherwise the whole area may be taken over again by brush. You may need to rake it first where you mow.

You could also make mulch paths back into your wooded area to cut down on the area to be planted. Check with your local recycling facility to see if they have low cost wood mulch.

What you could plant depends on how shady it is, how dry it gets in late summer, and what kind of trees you're planting under. If weeds will grow, then good plants will too. You just have to find the right ones.

I have an area exactly like you describe, shady and very rocky. Years ago someone gave me a handful of vinca minor shoots which I planted in it. I have loved it. It is absolutely no maintenance and it has spread to cover the area completely. I planted the slips several feet apart the first year. For the first few years I had to weedeat over the planting, but now it is a lovely green carpet year around. I have even burned leaves over it and had it come back in the spring. So for a no maintenance ground cover it can't be beat.

If you want to take care of a wildflower garden you could build a shady rock garden. I have also done that using lots of native and nursery plants, but that takes a lot more work, first building and then weeding and watering. Let me know if you're interested and I'll tell more about that.

I have been wondering about vinca minor knowing it would probably take a few years. Thank you for sharing your experience.

I think the wide mowed or mulched paths and keeping it natural are good ideas. Also clearing thorns and poison ivy are good ideas. I enjoy the weeds on my long driveway because I don't even consider it my job to weed it or mow it. I live in the country and I try to take care of my yard and that is plenty. I mow along the two sides of the driveway. When I get my mail I have a nice walk and like to see what is blooming. There are many wildflowers that are not showy enough for a garden but pretty for a weed. I have monarda, crownbeard, golden rod, moth mullein, brown eyed susans, queen ann's lace, teasel, red clover, wild rose - all weeds but I like them.